UPDATE: Fall Harvest Fresh Seed Swap

angel14437(z5 NY)September 8, 2007

Hi Everyone! I will post here when I receive your seeds. There are 44 of us in the swap! Everyone should have received an e-mail from me. If you didn't, e-mail me at fallseedswap07@yahoo.com and I will reply. You can still join if you can get your fresh seeds in by September 30th.

I'm so glad they got there -- I had visions of them being returned to me because I forgot to scrape off the Priority sticker on the back of the box until I heard it thunk at the bottom of the mail chute. Ooops! Chris, I hate to ask, but could you peel off that Priority sticker? I didn't send enough postage for you to send it back priority.

I also had visions of it never getting there because I didn't do a delivery confirmation sticker, either.

The post office has become a source of exasperation for me. I tell the clerksssssss (many clerks, different post offices) how I want it to go, and what the USPS new postage rule is for the bubble envies, and they always argue with me. I've actually had a clerk tell me "That may be what the website says, but, honey, I'm telling you how it is in real life, and they'll return that package to you." I actually take a printed page of the USPS website in with me bcause all they know is the "over 1/4" rule". They don't know anything about the "under 3/4" rule". No, I haven't had anything returned to me.

So now I sneak in after hours and weigh it with the digital scale and print the postage from the machine and drop it in the box: No more hassle with the clerks! (But no returns once that box/envelope drops into the box)

There are 46 of us in the swap. I am already starting to pick out just the right seeds for all of you as they come in. It's working out good so far! I feel like I am getting to know you all through your gardening styles. It is interesting to learn all your different styles through your wants. I can almost visualize your gardens! LOL

I'm glad that we had a dry summer.....I was able to get a head start on harvesting & drying my seeds so that I could be prepared for the swap.

i'm planning on getting mine in the mail this weekend or monday at the latest- lots of overtime with both jobs, but that should still get them there in time. as for wants - wildflowers, butterfly flowers, shade flowers, old fashioned flowers (my house is over 100 years old), reds/yellows/oranges, and anything "chocolate" so really i'll be happy with about anything :)

Mailed out the seeds this morning. If I forgot anything, please let me know! I was in such a hurry because I was running late for work. But I'd been in the process of "stuffing" that envelope for a couple weeks so I think everything was there.

I mailed my seeds on Tuesday. After getting the package ready I dismissed the thought of mailing them. Then I caught a nasty bug and really forgot about mailing them. Thank you again for hosting this swap. Taterbug

I just mailed my package out to you. You should have it in a couple of days. Thanks for doing the swap for us! I think I'd go into a panic having all these packages arrive at once :) I hope you have a big mailbox!

It won't matter if your seeds are just a few days late. As you can see they are coming in almost all at once now. I will be finishing up sorting those by the time yours get here. So not to worry. I'm avoiding going into a panic by keeping on top of everything and doing a bit each day. I also allowed myself 2 weeks to return them to you all......just in case of unforseen situations which can happen and do! LOL. I have a small mailbox on my front porch. The mailman has been delivering the seed envelopes, banded together with a rubber band if there is more than one, to my side porch floor. I always know when they are here because I hear a big THUD as they hit the floor! Let's hope none are crushed!

Thanks for letting me know they made it; I was getting worried. I could have walked them to you quicker! I forgot to write that I would rather not have any veggies if you think of it while sorting them all out. Have you heard anything from the other players that you're missing packages from?
shimla

I think I have all the seeds in now. I have received seeds from 36 people. There were 9 that I haven't heard from so I assume they aren't participating. There are (about) 3,528 packets of seed in the swap! You probably won't hear from me for a while, while I finish up. I will post here when I mail them out.
Thanks everyone for making this a successful swap!

Yeah!!!!! Christmas in October! I received my seeds today too. Thank you so much Chris. I'm especially excited about the Naughty Marietta Marigolds, the Mexican Hat, the Eyeball plant (perfect for Halloween!), the Grandpa Ott Morning glories, & all the other cool seeds! (If anyone want the above & didn't get them, I'm sorry! Put them on your wish list & I am positive the seed fairy will get them to you, or, if I can get them to grow I will save seed next year & give you some!)
Great job! Thanks to all the participant!
Maggie

I got mine too!!! This is just so much fun. Thank you all, what a great variety.I am glad to finally see what butterfly bush seeds look like, I got some purple ones and I am wanting to save seeds from a pink bush where I work but I couldn't figure out what they look like. There were so many that butterflies are attracted to and we are going to be starting a butterfly garden at work (a school)so I will be sharing with them.
Thank you Chris for all of your work, it is truly Christmas in October!
Karen

Thanks for the great seeds that I rec'd this am! There were actually quite a few I didn't have! So cool! You did a great job and thanks so much for the mix of different kinds! My hat goes off to you!!! I hope everyone else liked there's as much as I did! Thanks again, Melinda

I'm glad that those who received their seeds liked them. I have gotten a bit behind....most have gone out. I sent another batch out yesterday. I will get the rest out by tomorrow. I really tried to match the seed to you all....TAKES LOT OF TIME. Thanks for your patience. 5 days ago my computer caught a virus, so I had to set up an old computer I had. LOL

Limequilla I didn't hear from the 9 MIA's. If you are thinking of doing a swap I would suggest limiting it to 20 or so for your first time. Some people send in several hundred packets of seed. So if more than a few do that...you will have alot of seeds! I have enjoyed doing this. Thanks to all of you for your help!

Chris - I hosted the Theme Garden Swap last winter, and I thought I had a lot of seeds for that one, but I don't think it was as many as you had for this one. I think you've done really well to get them sorted this fast!

my seeds arrived today - so many from my wishlist and so few duplicates! you did a really great job hosting and it must have taken you forever to get through all the seeds and sorted them so thoroughly! thank you everyone who sent seeds in and a special thank you to Chris for the great job hosting!

I have withdrawn from all of the seed swaps I was planning on participating in this fall because of the drought, but this packet really cheered me up, there were a couple of items I have been pining for but never would have thought to ask.

Bravo Chris, you really did a fabulous job! I am off now to find out how to grow some of these things.... very excited.

Hello Chris, I am getting a bit concerned. I haven't received my seeds yet. Darn!!!! (It feels like Christmas when they arrive!!! You all know the feeling) I live close to you, I am in MD. If they went out on the 19th that is more than a week. Let me know. Thanks again, Jenny

Jenny, I am anxiously awaiting mine still too! I feel like a little kid waiting for the Sears Christmas catalog to arrive. If we were in the 19th group, it really hasn't been that long...at least that is what I keep telling myself. I'm still going to be bummed if I run out to the mailbox tomorrow and they aren't there!

I still have not received mine either. I think the Post Office has slowed down the process for first class packages to make Priority Mail's 3 days more attractive. But they would never do that, would they?

I haven't gotten anything back yet, but my want list was pretty small and I requested no substitutions or extras so there's a real possibility I may not get anything back, and that's okay too. :-)

So, if you're still with us Chris (I've been in the computer-challenged condition before, I didn't like it!) could you please let me know if I should *not* be hovering over the mailbox like I have been? I think my mail carrier suspects I'm stalking. ;-)

Either way, sounds like this is shaping up to be a great and successful swap so far!

The packages always seem to take so long to arrive! I wish I could say the same for the bills! It took a whole week for my package to be received for the swap and we are in the same state. I thought they'd be here by now for sure, but mine aren't in yet either. I placed an order from Diane's seeds on Monday and it arrived already from Utah. Maybe the post office is finally getting tired of all of our re-used bubble mailers LOL!

Nah, I suspect it took Chris a few more days than she anticipated to get the last of the envelopes out. Real life sometimes calls, after all - and even if she was devoting all her time to this, this was a huge swap. I have absolutely no worries - can't plant now anyway, and several of the other swap people are receiving their seeds - I have no doubt mine will arrive in plenty of time to plant them!

I think Drippy is right. You can get seriously bogged down on a swap like this, and if you go back through and start tweaking, it could add a lot of time. I know I sent somewhere close to 200 packs, so it might be a while yet.

I have a confession to make: I am still planting my 2007 wintersown seedlings. I had unbelievably good luck with the process, but the months of April and May weren't long enough for me to be able to get everything planted. Then it turned hot & dry, so I left them or repotted them. I have about 3 more pots left to do before I can declare myself finished, so as you can imagine, I have no plans to do anything with my Fall Swap seeds until after the solstice!

I don't know where a host/hostess finds the time for these swaps. I know just hosting round robins took a lot of time for me. And filling SASE's got out of hand so I stopped doing them, too. I can't wait to check my mailbox again today! The packages are so much fun!

Now I'm starting to think that some sneaky mail thief is out there planning her winter sowing project with my envie of seeds. RATS...another day with no bubble envelope! Where is some Halloween candy I can eat to ease the pain!?!?!

I'm hoping that it isn't anything more serious than just having computer problems (again) and not being able to post that she fell behind. It seems odd that packages aren't dribbling out to us. She was doing a fantastic job hostessing this and keeping everyone updated on the swap progress. To have everything stop abruptly is a little worrisome. If someone hears from her, please give us a posting so we know she it okay.

I just did a quick review and there are 12 people, by my count, who are still waiting, meaning a third of the total number in the swap. Also, by my notes, all 12 of us are confirmed above as being received. This is bumming me out but at least those two bits of info make me think that we were all just in the last batch and it is still coming.

I too hope it's only computer issues. I personally don't keep paper records anymore unless I'm forced to, so if it were my computer and I had everything only on my hard drive and it crashed, it might take some time to get that info back.

As for me, I'm in a zone where all I can really do right now is prepare beds so that's all I'm doing (wave bye-bye to my lawn as it slowly does a disappearing act!).

When/if the seeds get here, great. Just so long as everybody's okay, and that's what I'm hoping for right now.

Hey there!
I wanted to extend a BIG THANK YOU!! for the seeds I received! I am quite pleased with the envelope I received a while ago... I am remiss in my posting of the envelope received....
Thank you Chris for the wonderful job you did in finding seeds for me off of my unusual- unusually long and weird list! There are some new treasures I am waiting to see next year!!
Thank you too- all of you who played along and sent such wonderful seeds into the mix! When your envelopes arrive- I am sure you will be pleased as well!

Welllll, about the only thing I can think of is to send a letter and see if there's anything we can do to help get this swap completed... has anybody done this yet? If not, I'll be happy to do it.
Terri :-)

I tried emailing Chris again.Still no response.I am beginning to think we have been forgotten.:-(
I sent in 188 pkts. to her.I keep hoping....but the main thing is,I hope she is ok.Life happens sometimes..
moonphase

Something major must have happened. Life does happen sometimes and the last thing on your mind are seeds when it does. It's so trival compared to some of the trials we face. How about just a card to let her know we're all thinking of her and sending her well-wishes?

I'll send her a note and include my phone number. I agree, something surely happened, she does not seem like the type to just drop a project unfinished like this. I will let her know everybody wishes her the best and offer her any help she needs that I can give her. Will be dropped off at the post office lobby tomorrow with some other things I need to deliver. I'll update if I hear anything back. Think positively.

I went ahead and took the card to the post office today, told Chris all her Garden Web swap buddies were concerned and hoped she was all right, included my phone number in case she wanted to touch base and couldn't reach us by PC, and I offered to help tie up the loose ends of the swap in any way I could. If anybody hears anything, please post if you can.
Terri :-)

Hi, Chris - I wanted to let you know I received my seeds today, and thank you for the lovely selection! I know I'm a hard person to pick for, but I love the choice herbs and sunflowers, among other things (I haven't been through the whole scrumptious packet yet).

I hope all is well with you, and that you are taking a well-deserved rest after doing this swap. This was just an enormous undertaking, and as I know, hosting a swap sounds great in theory, but the reality is a lot more difficult - but you have made a lot of people happy!

I received my seeds yesterday! I think you did a great job of working with my list to match the seeds to my wants. There were many nice hollyhocks and zinnias in my packet that I am itching to try this spring. Thanks so much!

Waited for today's mail to post; only credit card solicitations. ;-) No phone call that I'm aware of. I know there's an explanation, just sort of wish I knew what it was (can you tell I don't read mystery books? lol). Ah well, maybe in the next wave. :-)

Did you all send big packages? I wonder if ours are taking longer because they were so big. I see a few of you sent in a lot to swap. I got carried away packaging and ended up with over 300 packets. I have to assume everything is okay with her since more packages started going out. That's a relief! I'm just going to keep checking that mailbox each day lol until they arrive. I'd rather wait than have to be the person to sort them! It's not a task I would sign up for, that's for sure. I'm sure when she is able, she'll be in to let us know what happened to her.

I only sent in 30 packs of seeds, but I bet she has her hands full right now with selecting just the right seeds for everyone. I suspect she is working just as diligently as she can with getting these packs sorted/mailed out and from what I have read here, this will definitely be worth the wait!!

I was in the 30-40 range too. I really don't have any prob waiting since I'm going to winter sow most of mine, and in NC, that means after the freak warm up in January! What bums me out is the running to the mailbox everyday since Oct. 20th only to find a million Land's End catalogs and no bubble envie! ***repeating mantra about good things coming to those who wait!*** IT is kind of silly, but if the date for the seeds getting back to us had been set as December 15th, I wouldn't be upset in the slightest. It is just the thought that they could have already come that makes the waiting so hard!

No envie here, either, and I'm sorry, but there is no excuse for us not hearing from her in a month. Even if her computer is still broken, and even if the old one she cobbled together isn't working, and even if she hadn't been able to get to the library, she still could have called Terri to pass aong a message as to why it is taking so darn long had she so chosen.

Wellll, since I may not be getting seeds (I requested no seeds or postage back if none of my wants was available) there's the possibility she may not want to call me, or there's the chance she is having phone issues as well, or perhaps she's confident she will finish up but life keeps getting in the way, so there still could be a reason for what's happening. Still, the situation is frustrating I know, and I truly feel for you who gave so many seeds and are waiting on this for other swaps, etc.

If nothing more happens by month's end, perhaps we should try another note with a self-addressed stamped post card she could pop in the mail to let us know when she thinks she'll get back to this/be finished? Could include a list of who is still waiting, in case she needs that info. Just a thought.

I agree: the lack of communication is the sticking point. I don't think a note to anyone in the swap who could post a message for all is too much to ask.
At this point I would be happy to get the seeds I sent in back and chalk the wasted postage both ways up to experience. That should be easy enough to drop in the mail.

I gave up! The only other swaps I'm involved in right now are due by the end of the month. The wish list swap has a boatload of newbies in it. I just sucked it up and packed up about 150 new packets for them. I hadn't anticipated needing to spend time doing that, but what are you going to do? The extras from these general swaps end up making great gifts for the newbies and you can get your seed box emptied out for the year.

roflol - you hard to pick for, girl! I could only find eldeweiss from your wishes in the other swap. I know you'll get some nice things coming your way from that exchange, though. Thanks for sending out a card to Angel for us and making the attempt to try to find out what happened. It was a good idea.

Is everyone else waiting on this swap all set on seeds? I have a lot of common stuff but would be more than happy to make a care package if someone feels they are going to be short because of all of this. Just zip me off an email so we can exchange info.

I really, really think there is something wrong. I've been stiffed before (had an entire robin box go missing once!) but I don't think this is the case at all nor do I think she's intentionally not communicating with us. She's hosted this swap before and everyone was delighted with their packages. She knew the work that was involved with doing a swap when she decided to host again so that shouldn't be an issue. She was posting to us right along. What if she's in the hospital or something bad like that? A second mailing went out where people received packages around the 5th of November. It could be that she had them ready to go (she did say on 10/18 that she had gotten behind and was packing more) and someone in the house put them in the mail for her. Someone must have to be there to take care of her daughter, right? Our card with Terri's phone number didn't reach her house before those packages went out, either. Even if she can't get to a computer and can't dial long distance, don't you think she would have mailed a note after getting a card of concern for her? I just can't believe that she just dropped the swap for no reason; she was enjoying doing it and it sure sounds like she put her heart into the packages that were received. I just gave up on it and moved along with my other swaps until we really get an answer from her what the heck happened.

I agree with shimla, this doesn't feel like being dumped; I really think when she is able she will finish this. I'm sending another note as well; I'd call but cold-calling is not in my blood (which means since I don't know what's going on, I don't want to make any bad situation worse with my lack of grace under pressure).

taterbug, you're the only one I know of at this point (using search) that isn't in any of the other big swaps right now - how are you doing for seeds? Anybody else?

We just moved. I left my beautiful garden. Those were almost all of my seeds. I figured with moving I would not have time to do any other trades. Oh well, in the big scheme they are just seeds for me. My heath nut, exercise freak, father is eaten up with cancer and is very ill from chemo. For me, without a house anyway, I must remind myself they are just seeds. taterbug

Roll Call...who is still waiting? At least we can have the list ready if Chris hops back on here(though I am starting to think something bad may have happened) or maybe we can do a Fall Harvest Orphans Swap. ;-)

Everyone, I received my seeds from this trade on October 17th. I agree that something must have happened to Chris. I feel bad that I received mine & people are still waiting. I will share any of my seeds with anyone that has not received theirs. Just let me know & I will send a care package!
Taterbug, I hope & pray your father gets better.
Maggie/Etravia

I'm with Maggie/Etravia, I feel bad that some are still waiting, and I'm worried that something bad happened to Chris. I was one of the first to receive a nice fat package, and I got a big fat package recently from another trade I'm in. I have two more coming as well. I have and will have loads of seeds to share.

I like the idea of an Orphan's Swap. I know many of those who have received nothing have already posted, but maybe if you post again with some ideas about what seeds or what kinds of seeds you want, those of us with plenty can help you out.

I received my seeds from this swap in October, and I am in 3 more swaps, so I expect lots more seeds in December. I can either "adopt" an orphan or help organize distribution. I know I sent similar "wish lists" to several swaps, so I will probably have duplicates. But I won't have them until mid-December.

Hi all! You know, when I really sit down and think about it, I don't have tons more room for plants. It just grows boring to propagate and plant my same old stuff over and over. So what I am really bummed out about is missing the excitement of looking through what was sent back. I'm not really that in need. I got some Chinese forget-me-nots in a trade last year and it was so fun to experience them for the first time...and some Rudbeckia 'Goldilocks' that were like a dream, they were so lovely.

So I guess what I am saying as far as seed needs and being adopted is

what do I need...absolutely nothing
what do I want...anything new to my pad

It is just so fun to see those little fluffs or tiny specks of seed turn into something so outrageously huge and wonderful!

After sending in october,she sent more out a few weeks later.I got mine Nov.6th.after I had given up hope.Maybe she got over whelmed..and is having to do a few ever 2-3 weeks..but I just don't feel hopeful about it..I wish she would write and let us know.I lost my husband Sept.25th and for the first few weeks I was in like a fog.I am still finding some wierd things I moved around in the house at that time..lol.I hope she is not experienceing anything like that.Did anyone send her mail?
I have gotten back 2 big envies so far of swaps and just mailed out 3 more yesterday.I am in one more big one so that will be 6 big envies of seed.I already had almost everyone I got back from the last swap..lol.I can donate a whole lot of seed to the ophrans if they want to be adopted.How many did not get seed?I feel bad and just wish she would respond.I kept emailing her,maybe that is why she sent my seed,,lol to shut me up..any way,let me know.
moonphase

Ah, you guys are so kind! I can't claim orphan status but thank you very much for the kind offers.

I participate in the general seed swaps for the fun of joining and getting back the wacky packages. I love the stuff that people send out in these! I have quite a mystery garden going at times :) I'm signed up for suzydaze's swap and the wish list swap so I should be all set on goodies.

We are fortunate for all of the packages that were sent out and received. Think of how disappointed everyone would be if that hadn't been the case.

I was thinking of mailing a postcard to her house with my phone number on it. This way, if someone was picking up her mail for her, they would be able to read it. If she's not there and someone is gathering her mail, they might not be opening the private things. Did anyone do a postcard yet? Anyone up on Miss Manners, would it be impolite to call to find out how she is? It might make her feel good to know we are all thinking of her.

I'm sorry about your husband, moonphase and your dad, taterbug. It's not easy going through these things, not at all.

None of you whose packages came should be feeling bad/sad; so please don't. :-) We're picking up the pieces and taking care of the ones who need it, and that's what community is all about, so feel good about being part of this group and spread the planty love when ya got it! :-D

I had not even thought about my card not being opened - DOH! Lime and Shimla, great point about postcards... hard to resist reading those when they go by, maybe it will prompt some word, and hopefully it's *hopeful* word.

Well, I will let someone adopt me. As I said before they are only seeds, but since you are giving this sweet offer I will accept. Since I was moving this swap was going to be my only large trade this year. We still don't have a new house, so I don't know if I will need shade or all sun. Thanks again, taterbug